Communication Strategies for Conflict Resolution at Home

Communication Strategies for Conflict Resolution at Home
6 min read

According to the Meriam-Webster dictionary, conflict is identified as an intense clash between people and groups that leads to bitter argumentation. It is observed that whenever there is a mismanagement of conflicts, it leads to ill feelings, lack of inner peace, and even long-term grudges whereas when any conflict is tackled skillfully, the disagreements can strengthen the bond. There are many opportunities for improving skills online and enhancing one’s communication strategies. To successfully develop inner peace, one can participate in an online meditation class.

Causes behind conflicts

The conflict between two people arises because of differences in values, motivations, goals, and principles. There are times when the conflict is minor and then there are times when a conflict leads to intense negative emotional arousal. For example, in a home environment, a teen wants to go to Disney land on his dad’s new car but his father refuses to give him the vehicle. The conflict here is that the teen wants to explore and see the world but his father is more concerned about the safety of the new car and all the reckless behaviors that his son can engage in during his trip. Hence, the conflict leads to irritation, distance, and resentment in the relationship. Another example can be of a couple. The scenario is that both individuals have careers and due to busy schedules they are not able to find time for each other. So, when they go to bed they always fight and go to sleep with that negative energy. This leads to disappointments, hurt feelings, and weakness of bond between them. This is because their need for closeness and intimacy is not being met. The four horsemen in a relationship researched by Gottman Institute give more insight into the matter. They are criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling. It is said that contempt is the single most strong predictor of damaged and broken relationships.

Smart Tips for Conflict Resolution

Emotional Awareness The skill of emotional awareness is very important in conflict resolution because it helps in effective communication and stops disagreement from escalating. The misunderstanding that can arise here is that emotional awareness is a piece of cake so the majority do not put enough effort into it and do not even take professional help. So, such people engage in avoidance strategies and try to suppress their intense negative emotions- anger, and fear. This never works because emotions always find ways to show themselves and sometimes in uglier ways. Hence, lack of emotional awareness means restricted ability to resolve conflicts in any given situation. Managing Negative emotional arousal It is obvious that disagreements and conflicts trigger strong emotions like anger, fear, and stress. So, if these unpleasant emotions are not handled properly this can lead to a lack of trust. In view of all of this, it becomes imperative that one learns to keep in touch with their feelings (emotional intelligence) so that the person can practice self-soothing strategies e.g. deep breathing or brisk walk. Another way is to enroll in self-development courses like anger management classes. Non-verbal communication There is another way that can help in taking a break from all the argumentation or squabbling. It is called non-verbal communication. When we observe the hands, feet, and facial cues closely, we will get to know that our words do not match our body language. For example, during the bickering when a person says that they are fine but their body says that they are angry (clenched fists, tight jaw, and scorn expression). This is an inconsistency that leads to repercussions in long term. Conflict management in marital relationships The argumentation between married couples is a normal thing but escalating it to intense levels hurts the relationship for the long term. Research from the University of Denver shows that the manner in which married individuals resolve their conflicts says a lot about the success of their relationship in the longer run. In short, it is essential to stay calm and cool, focus on the problem at hand and its solution, engage in active listening, tackle the situation with a kind and supportive tone, and mutual compromise. Conflict resolution with teenagers Conflicts with teenagers are one of the most difficult disagreements to handle because the youngsters are growing mentally, physically, and emotionally. With all of this growth, they are always in the exploration phase which leads to clashes with parents and other adults in their life. For this reason, parents’ strategy of managing the conflict with them can make or break the bond. With teens, it is important to model that respectful resolution of clashes is important, taking responsibility is crucial, and staying within limits. Moreover, to help them stay within limits, it is important to set clear boundaries even if they do not like it.

Final words To wrap up, it is understandable that disagreements are painful but they are normal in any relationship. It is important to stop them from reaching higher intensities through effective communication strategies and self-development courses. Furthermore, Effective conflict resolution cannot happen without inner peace. One of the best ways to do it is through an online meditation course. Mismanaged anger is another issue that can prevent conflict resolution at home so a practical solution is to take anger management classes.

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Robin Jackson 0
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